Andrei Arlovski remains hopeful for one more run in the Octagon

It doesn’t seem so long ago when thinking about heavyweight Andrei Arlovski’s time in the UFC but in reality “The Pitbull” hasn’t stepped foot inside the Octagon in more than five years. Arlovski left the organization seeking a bigger payday and started out strong, beating Ben Rothwell and Roy Nelson in since-scrapped organizations, but then went on to lose four in a row including three first-frame knockouts.

Having recovered some of his mojo with a string of successful showings since the rough patch, Arlovski is already thinking about a second shot at UFC glory where he once held divisional gold. However, if Arlovski does get a call from his former employers, he wants it to be on merit rather than reputation.

“I don’t want the UFC to take me back in the UFC because I was a champion in the UFC. I want to earn the opportunity to be back in the UFC again,” said Arlovski in an interview with MMAWeekly. “More importantly, with my career, every fight I’ve shown a good fight, and showed my skills, and showed that I’m getting better and better and better from fight to fight.”

“Like I said, you never know. I might one day be in the UFC again, but I definitely want to be a champion and I want to be #1 in the world again because I know the taste of glory and the taste of being on top of the world,” he continued, solemnly admitting, “I also know that feeling when you’re down.”

Arlovski will look to pick up his fifth straight win in less than two weeks when he sees action against Anthony Johnson at WSOF 2. Entering the bout the big Belarusian will hold an overall record of 19-9 with seventeen stoppages.

I guess I wouldn’t mind seeing AA back in the UFC. When you talk about strikers with questionable chins, he’s definitely a step above Brendan Schaub and Pee Wee, and he can probably take out some of the gate keepers like Kongo and Gonzaga. Plus he’s already got wins over UFC fighters Rothwell, Nelson, and Werdum

But it’s not like he’s taking out tough guys in the division outside the UFC. Tim Sylvia is arguably his biggest win since losing his chin (even though it’s a “No Contest”). Taking on Rumble is a good step (even though the guy is a natural MW) but I’d also be looking to get fights with Kharitonov, Monson, and Alexander Emelianenko. I don’t think Dana has any ill will toward Andrei, I just think it’s gonna be a tough battle to get back to the big show.

I don’t think so Alpha. He just lost to Monson in Nov. Truth is there are better HW’s out there (Damian Grabowski) but Alex still has the Emelianenko name and that PRIDE appeal. Maybe if AA beat Barnett Dana would come calling.

i’m pretty sure Aleks retired after the monson fight, not that it matters. There are better heavyweights out there, plenty of up and comers who can boost the perennially weakest divsion in the UFC. But Andrei is clearly the biggest name, he can still help sell PPV’s, and thats what the UFC is all about